Open-Source Release of Multi-Physics Simulation Framework 4C

13 January 2025

We are happy to announce the open-source release of 4C (“Comprehensive Computational Community Code”), a comprehensive multi-physics simulation framework designed to tackle complex problems in computational science and engineering. After years of development originating at the Institute for Computational Mechanics of the Technical University of Munich in the 2000s, 4C is now available to researchers, engineers, and enthusiasts worldwide, free to use and contribute to under an open-source license. So far, the development of 4C has been a collaborative effort by three institutions:  the Institute for Mathematics and Computer-Based Simulation (IMCS) at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, the Institute for Computational Mechanics at the Technical University of Munich, and the Institute of Material Systems Modeling of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon.

What is 4C?

4C is designed to tackle the simulation of diverse and challenging problems in science, engineering, and biomedicine. Its development is driven by challenging research questions and real-world problems, for which existing tools do not suffice, either due to the lack of capabilities or due to falling short of accuracy or performance. 4C not only provides ready-to-use simulation capabilities for a variety of physical models, including single fields such as solids and structures, fluids, or scalar transport, and multi-physics coupling and interactions between several fields, but also a modular software environment for research in mathematical modeling and numerical methods.

4C is capable to address complex simulation scenarios across different application areas. It has been applied in modeling the human cardiovascular and respiratory systems in order to better understand diseases as well as support treatment planning in the clinical context. In engineering applications, 4C’s mixed-dimensional modeling capabilities have been used for fiber-reinforced materials; its electrochemistry model helps to advance research in battery technology. Finally, 4C has contributed to the natural sciences, particularly in biophysics, where it has been employed to study biopolymer fibers and networks or the growth of malicious tumors. Its comprehensive set of numerical methods and models make it a highly versatile tool for academic research and industrial applications.

For a comprehensive list of publications highlighting its diverse methods and applications, we invite you to visit the 4C website.

Why Open-Source?

The release of 4C under the LGPL license marks a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and innovation within the global scientific and engineering communities. Hosted on GitHub in the 4C Multiphysics GitHub Repository, the open-source framework invites users to collaboratively build upon its robust foundation and contribute to its evolution.

Dr.-Ing. Matthias Mayr, head of the Data Science & Computing Lab at IMCS and a key figure behind 4C’s development and open-source publication, explained: “Sharing our research software openly has been driven by a commitment to accessibility,  sustainable software development, and reproducibility of research findings. We aim to empower researchers with access to a unique, powerful tool for simulating complex multi-physics systems, enabling them to advance their scientific pursuits with confidence and precision.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Popp, Professor of Computer-Based Simulation in Civil Engineering, emphasized the broader vision: “Our mission has always been to enrich the global research community. By releasing 4C as open-source, we hope to foster collaboration, accelerate innovation, and ensure cutting-edge simulation capabilities are within reach for everyone. Whether you are an academic delving into advanced numerical methods or an engineer solving real-world challenges, 4C provides a versatile and reliable platform for tackling the complexities of multi-physics phenomena.”

Join the 4C Community

The release of 4C represents not only a milestone for its development team but also a significant opportunity for the community to collectively push the boundaries of multi-physics simulation. We welcome contributions, feedback, and collaboration from researchers and developers around the world. Explore the full potential of 4C and become part of its growing user and developer base.

Let’s build the future of computational science together with 4C!


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